[women-rights] Russian Federation: Violence against women - time to act!

News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International

AI-index: EUR 46/019/2003     05/03/2003

Russian Federation: Violence against women - time to act!


Joint Public Statement with the Russian Association of Crisis Centres "Stop 
Violence"

Violence against women is one of the most pervasive, yet hidden of human 
rights abuses. It is rooted in a global culture of discrimination which 
denies women their fundamental rights. No political or economic system or 
culture is exempt when it comes to allowing and justifying violence against 
women - in USA a woman is raped every six minutes, in Russia about 14,000 
women are estimated to be killed in domestic violence annually. This year, 
more than 15,000 women will be sold into sexual slavery in China.

"Violence against women is a violation of human rights that cannot be 
justified by any political, religious, or cultural claim."

Figures released by Russian women's non-governmental organizations show how 
women's right to life and freedom from violence are threatened, on a daily 
basis, in the home and their right to physical, mental and sexual integrity 
denied. For example they report that:
- Every day 36,000 women in the Russian Federation are beaten by their 
husbands or partners.
- Every 40 minutes a woman is killed in domestic violence.

"The number of women dying every year at the hands of their husbands and 
partners in the Russian Federation is roughly equal to the number of all 
soldiers who died in the 10-year long war of the Soviet Union in 
Afghanistan," Natalya Abubikirova, Executive Director of the Russian 
Association of Crisis Centres said. "We think that violence against women 
is a problem of national importance. Fifty-three per cent of Russia's 
population are women and we must not tolerate the indifference with which 
society and state are treating this problem. Our goal is to change the 
culture of discrimination against women so that we can improve the 
situation of women."

Both Russian and international organisations have highlighted the need to 
address domestic violence in Russia as a priority. At the start of its 
campaign on human rights in the Russian Federation, Amnesty International 
called on the Russian authorities to make domestic violence a distinct 
criminal offence; to introduce training for law enforcement officials; and 
to recognize and prosecute violence against women, including domestic 
violence and trafficking of women.

"International standards are clear ­ violence against women must not be 
tolerated, and governments have a responsibility to act. The Russian 
government must cooperate with the Russian Association of Crisis Centres 
for Women to establish a strategic and comprehensive program of action to 
tackle violence against women."

"2003 should be the year when the Russian authorities take concrete steps 
to protect women and show that domestic violence will not be tolerated," 
the international human rights organization said.

Action is being taken in some regions of the Russian Federation where 
members of the Association of Crisis Centres have established cooperation 
with local government structures. Law enforcement officials in these 
regions have shown their commitment to deal with domestic violence. 
Learning from and building on this cooperation shows the way forward - but 
much more needs to be done by the Federal government.

"Action by the Russian government, in consultation with non-governmental 
organizations could start with measures to improve collection of police 
data on violence against women and make it public, and to put into place a 
training program for law enforcement officials."

Amnesty International's members around the world will show their solidarity 
with Russian women on 8th March, International Women's Day, for example by 
holding demonstrations and vigils, and by organizing lectures with 
representatives of Russian women's organizations to insist on ending 
domestic violence.

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Take action! Visit: http://click.topica.com/maaaTRkaaWrqqbb0imPb/

Visit the Amnesty International Russia Campaign websites: 
http://click.topica.com/maaaTRkaaWrqrbb0imPb/

Amnesty International Russia press kit:
http://click.topica.com/maaaTRkaaWrqsbb0imPb/

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